The recently presented Macleay Water Quality studies were received with great interest. Other issues SOMR is concerned about are

• Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme,
• Gravel extraction in the riverbed,
• Growing water use in the Upper Catchment and
• Water theft for intensive horticulture effecting the coastal wetlands.

Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme

The NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPIE) has now published the Submissions Report, containing responses to the 76 public and agency submissions and advice of amendments regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA) for the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme – available on DPIE’s Project Portal https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/oven-mountain-pumped-hydro-energy-storage

As with lodging submissions, there were problems accessing the site for several days. Currently, researchers from University of New England and Southern Cross University as well as SOMR members are scrutinising the extensive documents. It is possible to respond once again. Without a clear deadline, comments should be sent as soon as possible to lauren.clear@dpie.nsw.gov.au

The Submissions Report was provided in August 2024 by OMPS Pty Ltd, although Alinta Energy announced acquisition of the project from OMPS Pty Ltd on Dec 23 2023.

Alinta Energy, operating as energy provider in several Australian states is owned by a private investment firm of Hong Kong’s billionaire Cheng family. (for some background, see a 2020 article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/China-shadows-the-rise-of-Hong-Kong-s-next-tycoons and Wikipedia)

On 19 June 2024, consultants, GIRA, conducted a so called ‘Oven Mountain Project Community Benefits Workshop,’on behalf of Alinta at Kempsey Macleay RSL. Participation was by invitation only and applicants were screened. While it was stated the project is not yet approved, the presentation and focus of the workshop on “community benefits” resulting from the development can only be seen as promises which raise expectations and hopes and consequently support for approval of the scheme.

On 16 July, SOMR President Paul Smith and Secretary Rupert Milne Home met with Michael Kemp, State MP for Oxley, to discuss his support for the OMPHS project. Mr Kemps is liaising closely with Alinta Energy. He dismissed considering the logistical issues leaving this is up to Alinta Energy to resolve and does not wish to investigate alternative sites and energy storage options as he sees this as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) remit. He said he was keen to see his electorate getting maximum benefits from the project. – i.e. assuming it’s going ahead.

Mr Kemp also advised that the Kempsey-Armidale Road upgrade costs to the State have been elevated from $279m to over $400m.

Riverside Gravel Extraction

Earlier in the year, SOMR lodged a suspicious activity report with NRAR – the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator – about Gravel Extraction Quarries in an active channel of the Macleay River near Turners Flat. In June, NRAR Project Officers inspected the site and afterwards informed SOMR “Your report to NRAR has been fully investigated and NRAR has taken appropriate enforcement actions in response to the matter. The case has now been closed.” In follow-up conversations with NRAR, a “confidential warning letter” to the operators was mentioned. SOMR applied to access the letter under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA) and expects a response by the end of September. Residents of the area continue to monitor the activities in the riverbed.

The SOMR post from April 2022 describes the effects on the river in detail https://saveourmacleayriver.com/2022/04/

A letter to Michael Kemp, Member for Oxley has been sent, making him aware of the matter, requesting his assistance in release of the information and the GIPA information request. No response has been received.

Upper catchment – New England and Armidale Regional Council area

As previously reported, Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is planning for ambitious population growth from 24,000 (Census 2021) to 50,000 by 2040 and the growth of 4,000 jobs based on industry expansion such as the education sector and water intensive horticulture/agriculture.

To “future-proof” the water supply, ARC developed a water security package which includes raising the Malpas dam wall by up to 6.5 metres (announced June 2022) and the Oaky project. The then MP Adam Marshall seemed to have secured $27 million State Government funding for the project. Local groups who are monitoring water flow and quality in the Upper Macleay catchment noticed recently that this item is not recorded in the 2022/2023 State budget and this has been acknowledged by ARC.

Pre-construction work on the concept design phase of Oaky Dam with pipeline to Armidale has been occurring since February 2023; a ‘willingness to pay’ consultation of ARC residents, foreshadowed by the Mayor, is yet to occur.

Logging activity is continuing in the Styx River Native Forest. Conservation groups are encouraging ARC to join other local Councils in urging State Government to halt logging in State Native Forests. Logging in this area has a significant impact on the Styx River, a tributary of the Macleay.

Illegal water harvesting in the Clybucca area

Over many months, a criminal case has been heard about the construction of several dams without permission. 12 charges regarding unauthorised use of water and dam proximity to the wetlands had been laid by NRAR – the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator against the company Green Leaf Australia and Director Xiuming Lin. Under the directorship and management of Xiuming Lin, the company is operating an extensive horticultural enterprise with nearly 500 green houses near Clybucca and at least nine dams of varying sizes.

For more details about the farm see https://saveourmacleayriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SOMR-Update-12-2023.pdf

According to Director Xiuming Lin, most of the dams were built by “holiday makers from Taiwan” who used hire equipment. When asked by an NRAR Officer why no approval had been sought, the reply was, “we don’t speak English”.

Late in June, Magistrate Nash handed down his judgement. Both defendants were found guilty of all 12 charges. Sentencing is scheduled for February 2025.